China Mobile is reportedly set to launch devices powered by Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform next year, with Huawei and Nokia apparently in the frame as suppliers.

It has also been suggested that the devices will not support the operator’s TD-SCDMA 3G services, and will instead work with its fledgling TD-LTE network – a technology that is also picking up some international support.

According to Marbridge Daily,the smartphones will use a custom version of the anticipated Windows Phone 8 operating system.

The current version of Windows Phone has seen limited availability in China. Earlier this year, Nokia launched its Lumia 800C and Lumia 610C devices, for operator China Telecom, while HTC has introduced its X310e WCDMA smartphone in the market.

So far, no Windows Phone device has been made available which supports China Mobile’s TD-SCDMA 3G network – a technology which has not been deployed by any other operators globally.

According to recent reports, China Mobile is looking to begin ramping up its TD-LTE smartphone activities next year, with “more than 10” handsets available to consumers. The operator has already identified a lack of suitable devices as a hurdle.

Research firm Canalys said that China has become the world’s largest smartphone market, overtaking the US, representing 22 percent of the global market in the first quarter of 2012. In addition to devices from market leader Samsung, broader availability of Apple’s iPhone has also helped drive sales.